Means for stopping the travel of exploding and burning fluids



Aug. 4, 1931. A. P. HORNOR 1,317,146

MEANS FOR STOPPING THE TRAVEL OF EXPLODING AND BURNING FLUIDS Filed May2, 192a INVENTOR (ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 4, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTGFFICE AUBELIUS P. HORNOR, OF CALDWELL, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNQR- T0 E-K.MEDICAL GAS LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED, OF WEST ORANGE, JERSEY, ACORPORA- TION OE NEW JERSEY MEANS FOR STOPPING THE TRAVEL OF EXPLODINGAND BURNING FLUIDS Application filed May 2, 1928. Serial No. 274,408.

. My invention relates to means for stopping the travel of fluids whichare in an exploding or burning condition and particularly to means forchecking in pipes or other fluid conveying conduits, the progress ortravel of burning and exploding fluids.

My invention has for its objects, among others, the provision of animproved construction and arrangement for stopping the travel ofexploding and burning fluids in fluid conveying pipes or conduits where,unless checked, the burning or exploding fluids would be likely toendanger life or property;

to provide novel means for so checking the travel of an exploding fluidwhich is operable by the force due to the explosion of the fluid itself;and to effect the checking of the travel of an exploding fluid in a pipeor conduit by the closing of the latter at a point which, with referenceto the direction of travel of such exploding fluid, is in advance of thelatter.

WVhile my invention as to certain of its features, is applicable topractically all cases where inflammable fluids pass through conduits ina gaseous or atomized state, it has been particularly designed for usein connection with the conveying of those fluids which, when exploding,travel at a very high speed, such, for example, as ethylene, acetylene,ether, ethyl-chlorid and illuminating gas. Also while many of thefeatures of my invention are capable of being applied to or embodied inapparatus of many different forms adapted for conveying fluids, myinvention is particularly adapted for embodiment in apparatus foradministering various anesthetic fluids, such as ethylene, ether andethyl-chlorid, which when mixed or combined with air or oxygen incertain proportions, are highly explosive and the explosions of whichusually travel at great speed; and a further and important object of myinvention is to provide an improved and novel construction for use inadministering anesthetic fluids and embodying or containing means foreffectually obviating the possibility of such fluid, if in a burning orexploding condition, reaching the patient.

Other objects, features and advantages of my invention will behereinafter more specifically described and claimed.

For the purposes of illustration I have shown in the accon'ipanyingdrawings and shall proceed to describe a form of apparatus foradministering anesthetic gases embodying what I now consider preferredphysical embodiments of the features of my invention.

In the said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation partly broken away and partly in sectionof apparatus for administering anesthetics equipped with the features ofmy invention, the apparatus being shown in use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detailed perspective View, partly broken away,showing the construction employed in the apparatus of Fig.

1 for controlling the supply of air and anesthetic to the patient.

Fig. 3 is a plan view partly in section of the structure shown in Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view showing the expiratoryvalve of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

The administering apparatus illustrated comprises the usual mask 1having a pneu matic cushion 2 whereby the mask is adapted to fit tightlyabout the mouth and nose of the patient, the respiratory valve casing 3having the extension 4 for connection with the usual rebreathing bag(not shown) and through the latter with the source of supply ofanesthetic (also not shown), and a special form of connecting meansbetween the mask 1 and the respiratory valve casing 3, which connectingmeans is of special design and will be presently described. The casing 3is provided with means for controlling the supply of air and anestheticto the patient, and also with an expiratory valve, suitable and usualforms of which means and valve I shall now proceed to describe.

he casino; 3 is cylindrical in form and has two openings 5 and 6 whichrespectively communicate with the outside atmosphere and the tubularextension 1. An openthreaded into the casing. A

ended split cylindrical member 7 formed of thin resilient metal isfrictionally mounted Within the casing 3 for turning movement and isadapted to control the openings 5 and 6 and thereby the communication ofcasing 3 with the outside atmosphere and with the rebreathing bag andsource of supply of anesthetic. The member 7 has an opening 8 and isturnable by a handle 9 secured thereto and extending through a slot 10in the casing, the arrangement being such that whenthe handle is at oneend of the slot, the opening 8 in member 7 registers with the opening '5of the casing, as shown in 3, and when at the other end of said slot,the opening. 8 registers with the opening 6. T 1e opening 8 is of suchsize that the member 7 may beturned to a position intermediate thelimits of the movement thereof, in which such opening registers withboth the openings 5 and 6 of casing 3. The construction just describedrenders it possible to the patient with fresh air only, with gas fromthe rebreathing bag only, .or with a mixture of the two.

At its upper end casing 3 has a cap 1:1 connected thereto by means of anannular flange 11 provided on the cap which is disc 12 having a knurlededge is frictionally mounted the cap 11 for rotary movement by means ofa shouldered pin 13 secured to the cap and supply extending through thedisc and a spring washer 14 disposed between the disc and the shoulderon the pin. At its upper end the pin 13 has a flattened extension orfinger piece 15'to enable the cap 11 to be unscrewed and disconnectedfrom the casing 3. The cap 11 and disc 12 are respectively provided withsimilar series of circular openings 16 and 17 which are adapted uponturning the disc 12, to be brought into and out of regi ter to therebycontrol the communication of the interior of casing 8 with the outsioeatmosphere. Turning-movement of'the disc 12 with respect tothe cap 11 islimited by means of a slot 18 provided on the cap and a pin 19 securedto the disc and engaging said slot. The flange 11 of cap 11-is alsointernally screw-threaded, and a short hollow cylindrical member orthimble 20 is removably secured to the cap by being threaded into saidflange. The member 20 is open at the top and communicates with theoutside atmosphere through the openings 16 and 17 in the cap 11 and disc12 when such openings register. The bottom of member 20 is provided witha central opening and an upturned flange 21 about such opening. A verylight valve 22, preferably in the form of a small thin disc of aluminumor other suitable material, is disposed within the member 20 and isadapted to rest on the unturned flange 21, as shown in full lines inFig. i, to close the opening at a very great speed,

cured atone end within an through the bottom of said member. The weightof the valve 22 is such that the same is lifted from its seat, asindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 4, by the exhalations of the patientso that upon each exhalation a portion at least of the gas exhaled willbe expelled through the expiratory valve just described, to the outsideatmosphere. Upon each inhalation of the patient the valve 22 will be inthe closed full line position shown in Fig. 4 and the patient will theninhale gas only through one or the other or both of the openings 5 and 6of the casing, depending upon the adjustment of member 7.

In the usual form of apparatus for administering anesthetic gases theface mask is connected directly to the respiratory valve casing by ashort straight unobstructed tube. As indicated above, some anestheticfluids, as for example, ethylene, when mixed with air in properproportions for administration, are highly explosive, and should suchgas become ignited at any point in the short connecting tube referredto, it is likely that the result to the patientto whom the gas wasbeingadministered would. be fatal. There are several cases on recordwhere patients have been fatally injured by reason of the ignition andresulting explosion of the anesthetic being administered. In all suchcases of which I have knowledge the anesthetic became ignited at somepoint more remote from the patient than the respiratory valve casing;the, anesthetic in some cases was probably ignited by a spark or flameat some point without the administering apparatus whereupon the burningor exploding fluid entered the apparatus through the respiratory valvecasing, while in other cases the anesthetic fluid was probably ignitedby static sparks generated within the rebreathing bag. It is verydiflicult, however, in the case of an anesthetic such as ethylene todetermine just where an explosion such as described originates, becauseor" the fact that the explosionv travels namely: approximately at therate of a mile and a half a second. Nevertheless, in all cases of whichI have knowledge such explosions originated at one of the two pointsmentioned, namely: either in the rebreathing bag or in the outsideatmosphere adjacent the respiratory valve casing. To effectually checkthe travel of any burning or exploding fluid and prevent the same fromreaching the patient, I provide in the apparatus shown a special form ofconduit or connection for the flow of fluid between the mask 1 and thecasing 3, describe. 1

A'short tube, or nipple 24 is tightly seopening prohas a shortopenextending through which I shall now proceed tovided in the mask 1and ended reduced port1on'25 .eter 'than the section 29' of I member 28,is secured to anchextends upthe 5 bottom of a long tubular 1'memberr26r:

The bottom-of 'the tubular member :26 is provided by the reduced portion25,was"by being brazed thereto. The'casing '3 is provided-"with a shorttubular extension 27' onto the outer or lo'wer end of which a'tubular-member 28 isthreaded. The "tubula'r member 28 is preferably ofsubstan- 'ti'all y the same diameter as the tubular member-'26, and hasa reduced section 29 extending into said member 26, the latter at its'upper end being in-threaded connection 1 with the member 28 at pointadjacent and ,just above the= reduced' secti'on 29 thereof;

The said section- 29 is preferably aligned Witlrand-terminates ashortdistance from the end of the reduced portion of the tube or nipple 24; AtubeBO which isless in diamwarelly through thebottom of the member 2'71-This tube 30 is'open at each end, but hassecured to-the upper endthereof within the member 27, a-fine mesh cylindrical wire screen 131uThe tube 30 is aligned with the nipple-2 L and extends downwardly withinthe reduced section 29 of the tubular unember28to a point slightly abovean internalcoll-air 32 iformed on the said section: at a point adjacentthe lower end of the latter;

The section 29 of memb'er 28 is closed at its lower end preferably byineansof a sealing device-Sof special design preferably con-- sisting ofa short sleeve-33 threaded into the said section againstthe collar32-and provided with a liquid seal 37 :normally retained therein betweentwo thindiaphra gins or inembranes 35- and-i36, said diaphragmsbeing-suitably secured: to-the"sleeve andrespectively closi-ngrthe ends:thereof; The diaphragms 35 and 36 are preferably formedof- :thin: sheetmetal such as nickel or copper and-the liquid seal 37 preferablv' consists ofa suiiicient body-of suitable noninfiammable liquid, suchas'water, to fill the space between-the diaphragms. Suitably secured tothe diaphragm 36, as by being cemented" thereto and normally extendingintobut "spaced from: the upper end portion of the reduce'd'section 25of the'nipple-2-l, is a anember 38 which is preferably conical in shap'eandformed of suitable resilient material such-as rubber or cork,preferably thc latter.- Reference character 39 represents -'along"tubular coil. oneend 40 of which-is securedwithin an openingprovided in the large upper end portion of tubular member 28 so-astocommunicate Wltllrtll interior 'of tl-ielatter, and the other end 41of which is secured within an opening provided in the tubularwhichlchamber, under normal conditions,v

only the 'lower end of the tube 30 and the ri'gidl 'y secured to theshoulder on tube 24- end lObf the coil 39 directly communicate; and thetubular member 26 provides an annular chamber B about the reducedsections 25and 29 of nipple 24 and tubular member-28 w-itlrwliichmember, under normal conditions, only the nipple 24c and the end ll ofthe coil 39 directly communicate.

VVi'ththe construction described, the gas beingadministered will uponeach inhala-r ti-on of the patient and so long as the memb'ranes'35 and36 of the sealing device S remainintact, travel from casingv 3 to thepatient in the path indicated by full arrows in' FigAl,- namely fromcasing 3 through extension 27, screen 31, tube 30, chamber A and coil 39to-chamber B, and then from chamber B through the annular space betweenthe'end of the reduced portion 25 of nipple 2 l and member 38, nipple 24and maskal'to the patient; Upon each exhalation of the patient, thegases exhaled will pass to the casing 3 in a path, indicated by thedotted arrows in Fig. 1, directly opposite to that just described.Should the gas being administered become ignited at either of the twopoints mentioned, namely: in the rebreathing bag which is connected tocasing-3 byth'e extension st of the latter, or in the outside atmospherein the vicinity of casing 3, and should such gas contain such an amountofair "or be in such a condition that upon becoming ignited it will notexplode, but will merely burn, the progress of 'the'burning gas throughthe apparatus in a direction-from the casing 3 towards the mask 1 willbe checked at the upper end of tube'30- by the screen 31 which acts inthesame'manner as the screen of a Davy lamp, to prevent the passageof'flame therethrough. B'ut should the ignition of the gas result in anexplosion thereof, such explosion, traveling at an enormous rate, willenter thecasing 3 and pass therefrom throughthe screen-31 into the tube30. The tube 30 will act to'concentrate and direct the explosionagainst-the diaphragm of the sealing device S, with the result that theforce or impact of the explosion will be transmitted through the liquidseal 37 to the diaphragm 36 and will act to disrupt the'connection ofthe latter with the sleeve 33 and to forcibly project this diaphragm andthe resilient conical member 38 carried thereby away from said sleeve.Such forcible projection ofthe conical member 38 will force the-sameinto the reduced section 25 of nipple'24 to thereby tightly close orseal the latter against the passage of gas there- 1 through from thechamber B to the mask 1. The timeta-ken in thus disrupting the diaphragm36 and moving the member 38 the short distance'necessaryto seal thenipple .A, coil 39 and chamber B to the end of the reduced portion 25 ofthe conduit section or- .nipple 24, before the sealing of the latter bysaid member 38.

It is thus apparent that in the event of an explosion of the gas beingadministered,

the construction described will insure the automatic and effectiveseahng ofthe conduit providedfor the flow of such gas at apoint whichwith reference to the direction in which such exploslon travels in theconduit, is in advance of the explosion. The

use of the liquid sea 37 is an important fea-' ture as this seal, upon'an-explosion of the gas, will, because of the mobile character thereof,effectively maintain the lower end of the reduced section 29 of tubularmember28c completely closed orsealed against the passage of theexploding gas during the movement of member 38 under the impact of theexplosion, from the position shown in'Fig. 1 to the position in which itseals the nipple 24. If only a frangible seal were used there would bethe almost certain result, upon the disrupting of such seal by anexplosion, of theexplodingfiuid passing directly through or by the sealand past the member 38 into the nipple Qt'bGfOI'Q said member 38 wouldbe moved a sufficient distance, under the impact of the explosion, toclose or seal the nipple.

. lVhile I have specifically described my invention as applied toapparatus for administering anesthetic gases,it is to be understood thatmany of thefeatures thereof are also adapted for application to orembodiment in other apparatus and devices through or by whichinflammable and explosive fluids are designed to be passed or conveyed.It is further understood that the physical embodiments of the featuresof my invention shown and specifically described herein, are subject tovarious changes and modifications without departure from the spirit ofthe invention or the scope of the appended claims. 7 g 7 Havingnowdescrihed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect byLetters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1.. In combination, a conduit comprising spaced portions and a, bypassconnecting and establishing communication between said portions andhaving a length greater than the space between such portions, meansnormally sealing one of said portions and causing fluid to how from thelatter through said by-pass to the other of said portions, and a deviceassociated with said means and actuatable therethrough uponand bytheforce or. impact of an explosion of fluid oc- .said portions, meansnormally closing one of said portions and causing fluid to flow from thelatter through said by-pass to the other of said portions, and a deviceassociated with said means and actuatable therethrough upon and by theforce or impact of an explosion of fiuidoccurringin the conduit to aposition in which the same closes communication between said bypass andthe other of said portions, substantially as described. 7 V o 8. Incombination, a conduit comprising spaced portions and a by-passconnecting and establishing communication between said portions, meanscomprising a liquid seal normally closing one of said portions andcausing-fluid to flow from the latter through said by-pass-tothe otherof said portions, and a device associated with said means andactuatabletherethrough upon and by the force or impact of an explosion of fluidoccurring in theconduit to a position in which it closes the said otherof said portions and prevents such fiow of the fluid, substantiallyas'described. i

4. In combination, a conduit comprising spaced portions and a bypassconnecting and establishing communication between said portions, meansnormally sealing one of said portions comprising a diaphragm and a bodyof liquid retained in such portion by said diaphragm, said means causingfluid to flow from the said sealed portion through said by-pass to theother of said portions, and a device associated with said means andactuatable therethrough upon and by the force or impact of an explosionof fluid occurring in the conduit to a position in which it closes thesaid other of said portions and prevents such flow of the fluid,substantially as described."

5. In combination, a conduit comprising spaced portions and a by-passconnecting said portions, means normally sealing one of said portionscomprising a pair ofspaced diaphragms and a body of non-inflammableliquid therebetween, said means causing fluid to flow from the saidsealed portion through said by-pass to the other of said portions, and adevice associated with said means and actuatabletherethrough, upon andby the force or impact of an explosion of fluid occurring in theconduit, to a position in which it closes the said other portion andprevents such flow of fluid, substantially as described.

6. In apparatus for conveying fluid, a conduit, means normally closingsaid conduit comprising a fixed frangible diaphragm hragmia-nd the saidopen end of the tubuar member connecting said conduit and tubular-member,,and a closure member for ;.tl1'e,;said open end of the tubularmember :Inountedon said diaphragm and normally wirheldrthereby. in openposition but movable usupon'rdisruption of the diaphragm by an-:explosion .of fluid :in said conduit, to closed position,substantially as described.

1 7 .r In apparatus for conveying fluid, a con- ;duit,:means normallyclosing said conduit comprisinga fixedfrangible diaphragminrtercep'tingthe conduit, a tubular member ,having an open end spacedfrom and adjacent said diaphragm, a by-pass of greater n length than thespace between said dia- :;phragm, and the said open end of the tubularmember connecting said conduit and tubular q member, and a taperedresilient closure member for the said open end of the tubular membermounted on said diaphragm and normally held thereby in open position,said closure member being adapted to be projected into the said open endof the tubular member to close the latter upon disruption of thediaphragm by an explosion of fluid in said conduit, substantially asdescribed.

8. In apparatus for conveying fluid, a conduit, means normally closingsaid con duit comprising a fixed frangible diaphragm intercepting theconduit and a body of liquid retained in the conduit by said diaphragm,a tubular member aligned with said conduit and having an open end spacedfrom and adjacent said diaphragm, a bypass connecting said conduit andtubular member, and a tapered closure member for the said open end ofthe tubular member mounted on said diaphragm and normally held therebyin a position in which it projects within the said open end of thetubular member but is in spaced relation to the wall thereof, saidclosure member being adapted upon disrup tion of said diaphragm by anexplosion of fluid in said conduit to be thereby forced to a position inwhich it seals said open end of the tubular member, substantially asdescribed.

9. In'apparatus for administering anesthetics, the combination of a facemask, a respiratory valve casing, a conduit for the passage of fluidconnecting said mask. and valve casing, said conduit comprising alignedspaced portions and a by-pass connecting said portions, means normallysealing one of said portions and causing fluid to flow from the latterthrough said by-pass to the other of said portions, and a closure memberfor said other portion, said closure member being normally maintained inopen position' by said sealing means but being actuatable therethrough,upon and by the force or impact of an explosion offluid occuring in theconduit,gto closed position, substantially as described.

10. In combination, a conduit for the pas sage of fluid and meansassociated with said conduit comprising a device adapted to close theconduit, said device being normally ,maintainedin open position andbeing movable upon and by the impact of .an explosion of such fluid toaiposition closing' .the conduit at a point which with respect to thedirection of travel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter,the length of thatportion of the conduit in which the fluid normallyflows between points respectively corresponding to the said open andclosed positions of said device being greater than the distance saiddevice travels when so moved from open to closed position.

11. In combination, a conduit for the passage of fluid. and meansassociated with said conduit comprising a device adapted to check theflow of fluid in the conduit, said device being normally maintained ininoperative position and being movable upon andqby the impact of anexplosion of such fluid to a position in which it checks the flow offluid in the conduit at a point therein which with respect to thedirection of travel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter,the length of that portion of the conduit in which the; fluid-normallyflowsybetween points respectively corresponding to the said inoperative.and checking positions of said device being greater than the distancesaiddevice travels when so moved from inoperative. to checking position.

'12. In apparatus for administeringancsthetics, the combination of aface mask, a

respiratory valve casing, a conduit for the vpassage of fluid connectingsaid mask-and valve casing, and means associated with said conduitcomprising a device adapted to closethe conduit, said device, beingnormally maintained in open position and being movable upon and by theimpact of an .explosion'ofifluid flowing in such conduit to a positionclosing the latter. at a point which with respect to the direction oftravel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter, the length ofthat portion of the conduit in which the fluid normally flows betweenpoints respectively corresponding to the said open and closed positionsofsaid device being greater than the distance said device travels'whenso moved from open to closed position.

13. In apparatus for administering. anestl etics, the combination of a.facemask, a respiratory valve casing, a conduit for the passageoffluidconnecting said maskand valve casing, means in said conduit adaptedto prevent the passage of flame there through while permitting thepassage of fluid-therethrough, and additional means 7 associated withsaid conduit comprising'a" device adapted to close theconduit, saiddevice being normally maintained in open position and being movable uponand by the impactof an explosion of such fluid to a position closing theconduit at a point which withrespect to the direction of travel of theexploding fluid is in advance of the latter, the length of that portionof the contween points respectively corresponding to duit in which thefluid normally-flows bethe said open and closedipositions of said devlcebelng greater than the distance said v device travels when so moved fromopen to closed posit1on.-

i 14;. In apparatus for administering anesthetics, the combination ofaface mask, a

respiratory valve casing, a conduit for the passage of fluid connectingsaid mask and Valve casing, a device in said conduit "adapted to preventthe passage of flame therethrough butto permit the passage of y fluidtherethrough, and means associated with said conduit comprising aclosure member for the conduit disposed between sald devlc'e and facemask, sald closure member being-normally maintained in open position andbeing movable upon and by the impact of an explosion of such fluid to aposition closing the conduit at a point which with respect to thedirection of travel of the exploding fluid is in advance of the latter,the length of that portion of the conduit in which the fluidnormallyflows between oints res ectivel corres ondin to the said openand closed positions of said closure member beinggreater than thedistance said closure member travels when so moved from open to closedposition. I

; In combination, a conduit for the pasi sage of fluid, means in saidconduit adapted to prevent" the passage of flame theretherethrough butto permit the passage of fluid therethrough, and means associated withsaidconduit comprising a device adapted to check the flow of fluid inthe conduit and disposed in the path of fluid conduit in which the fluidnormally flows between points respectively corresponding to the saidinoperative and checking positions of said device beinggreater than thedistance said device travels when so moved from inoperative to checkingposition;

This specification signed this th day of April, 1928 a AURELIUS P.HORNOR.

through but to permit thepassage of fluid therethrough and additionalmeans associated with said conduit comprising a device adapted to closethe conduit, said device being normally maintained in open position andbeingnnovaole upon and by rthe impact of an explosion of. suchfluid toa- 7 position closing the "conduit at a point which withrespect tothe'direction of travel ofthe exploding fluid is in advance of thelatter, the length of that portion of the conduit in which the fluidnormally flows between points respectively corresponding to the saidopen and closed positions of said device being greater than the distancesaid device travels when so moved from open to closed positlon. V 16. Incombination, a conduit for the passage of fluid, a screen in saidconduit adapted to prevent-the passage of flame 7

